Planning Data

The CEDS is both a document and a process; it is designed to bring
together both private and public sectors to create a roadmap to
strengthen regional economies. Strafford Regional Planning Commission
(SRPC) will be responsible for developing and implementing a CEDS
for Strafford County and the Towns of Brookfield and Wakefield
in Carroll County.

The purpose of this web site is to encourage use of the regional ITS architecture and gather feedback so that the architecture is used and continues to reflect the intelligent transportation system vision for the region. Sections provide access to the stakeholders, the transportation systems in the region (the Inventory), the transportation-related functions that are envisioned, and the existing and planned integration opportunities in the region.[View Site]

This web page has an interactive mapping tool allows you to explore the projects that have been identified in the 2012 Strafford-Rockingham Region ITS Strategic Plan. It is based on Google Maps and allows for viewing of project groups and their time frame.

Publication Archive

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Transportation Services

Guiding Documents

The Prospectus serves three important functions in the Strafford Metropolitan Planning Organization (SMPO) regional transportation planning process. First, it provides an overview of the federally mandated "3C" (comprehensive, continuing, cooperative) transportation planning process as redefined by the Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users ("SAFETEA-LU"). Second, it defines the roles and responsibilities of the various federal, state and local agencies and entities involved in the MPO transportation planning process. Third, it documents the interagency agreements that have been or will be entered into between the MPO, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT), the Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST), and the Air Resources Division of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES-ARD) and Rockingham Planning Commission MPO (RPC-MPO). These agreements further define the specific responsibilities and obligations of each agency.

Statewide Asset Data Exchange System

The ability to effectively inventory, and assess the condition of assets for data driven planning and, performance management is critical for municipalities, planning commissions, and state agencies. Around New Hampshire, state, regional, and local governments are in various stages of data collection initiatives. For transportation, a primary focus of these initiatives is critical infrastructure such as: drainage, road side restraint systems (guardrails) and public access ways (sidewalks & crosswalks). To effectively and uniformly collect this type of data on a statewide level, developing a structure that provides specifications, methods, training, and data exchange services for all stakeholders is essential.

Public Participation Plan

The Strafford Public Participation Plan documents the actions to be carried out by the Strafford Metropolitan Planning Organization to ensure that opportunities exist for the public to be involved in transportation planning activities, pursuant to Title 23 CFR 450.316 of Statewide Planning;

Metropolitan Planning and Criteria and Procedures for Determining Conformity to State or Federal Implementation Plans of Transportation Plans, Programs and Projects; and Statewide Transportation Planning Rules.

Public participation is essential for informing the transportation planning activities of the Strafford Metropolitan Planning Organization. This document will serve as the organizational public participation guide for implementing transportation policy and conducting project planning and development. The Strafford Public Participation Plan policies have been adopted by the Strafford Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Policy Committee.

Exit 10 & Route 108 Improvements

The purpose of the Spaulding Turnpike – Exit 10 and U-Alternative project is to improve the regional transportation system, thereby providing opportunities for orderly and coordinated economic development within the Tri-city region by enhancing access to the Spaulding Turnpike from the east.

The Spaulding Turnpike is a north/south principal arterial highway that serves a vital function for the economy of Strafford region. The Turnpike is the principal transportation corridor providing a connection with Interstate 95 (I-95). It also connects the cities of Portsmouth, Dover, Somersworth, and Rochester and is the gateway to the White Mountains and Lakes Region.

Since the 2000 census Strafford County has the fastest growing population in the State of New Hampshire and in recent years has seen significant economic development in the Tri-City region. To facilitate ongoing economic growth, while promoting a high standard of life in the region, it is essential to provide additional access to the Spaulding Turnpike in the vicinity of the Somersworth/Rochester city limits.

TIGER V: NH Northcoast Rail Improvements

The New Hampshire Northcoast Corporation (NHN) operates a 42-mile short line railroad between Ossipee, NH and Rollinsford, NH. This line currently provides the bulk of its freight service to a large sand, gravel, and granite quarry operation in Ossipee, NH, shipping these materials to a transload facility in Rochester, NH and to a concrete plant in Boston, MA. NHN also moves a large number of propane cars to a distribution facility in Rochester along its rail line, as well as mixed freight to other customers.

The rail corridor connects with Pan Am Railways’ (formerly the Boston & Maine) main line in Rollinsford, NH to the south and to an abandoned rail corridor owned by the State of New Hampshire to the north that runs from Ossipee, NH to Conway, NH with connections to major freight rail routes in northern NH.

The railroad helps to separate what otherwise would necessitate the mixing of large volumes of tourist and commuting traffic with freight and propane trucking along Route 16. Pre-sent volume on the line is approximately 5,000 railcars per year.

2013 Title VI Program

It is the policy of the Strafford Regional Planning Commission to carry out Title VI of theCivil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, andrelated statutes and regulations in all Federal programs and activities. Pursuant to thisobligation, no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age,disability, or income status be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of,or otherwise be subjected to discrimination in any program or activity carried out by theStrafford Regional Planning Commission. Strafford Regional Planning Commissionfurther assures that every effort will be made to ensure nondiscrimination in all of itsprograms and operations, regardless of funding source.

Unified Planning Work Program [UPWP]

The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) of the Strafford Metropolitan Planning Organization (SMPO) identifies the planning priorities and work activities that SMPO will address during the program period. The development of the UPWP is required as part of the Continuing, Comprehensive, and Cooperative (3c’s) metropolitan planning process and specifically the Metropolitan Planning Rules (23 CFR 450:314). The unified aspect of the document, as indicated in the title, means that it encompasses all MPO transportation planning activities that are foreseen, regardless of funding source or implementing agency.

Potential Projects Impacted by Ten Year Plan Funding Cuts

Adopted SMPO Bylaws

The purpose of these bylaws is to inform the public of the nature of the SMPO's business, operations, delegation of authority, internal organization and other related matters. Additionally, the intent is to provide procedures and policies for the SMPO and to insure the accomplishment of the planning tasks within a cooperative framework properly related to comprehensive planning on a continual basis.

National and State Scenic Byway Program Overview & Proposed Mills Scenic Byway

The New Hampshire Scenic and Cultural Byways Program was established in 1992 under RSA 238:19, "… to provide the opportunity for residents and visitors to travel a system of byways which feature the scenic and cultural qualities of the state within the existing highway system, promote retention of rural and urban scenic byways, support the cultural, recreational and historic attributes along these byways, and expose the unique elements of the state’s beauty, culture and history." The legislation established the program and the Scenic and Cultural Byways Council to serve as an advisory body for the Scenic and Cultural Byway System. The administration of the program is through the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Community Assistance. The New Hampshire Scenic Byway state coordinator is Dean Eastman and he can be reached by e-mail at deastman@dot.state.nh.us.

Final 2012 Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan

This document presents the COORDINATED PUBLIC TRANSIT & HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION PLAN (the Coordinated Plan), for the southeast New Hampshire study area consisting of thirty-eight communities in eastern Rockingham County, Strafford County and southern Carroll County. This Coordinated Plan has been developed by the Rockingham and Strafford Metropolitan Planning Organizations with guidance from the Southeast NH Regional Coordination Council for Community Transportation. In addition to serving as the guiding planning document for the Southeast NH Regional Coordination Council, the Coordinated Plan has been adopted by each Metropolitan Planning Organization as part of its METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN in response to federal requirements in the 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).

Route 125 Corridor Study

The Strafford Regional Planning Commission secured funding and completed a two phase comprehensive Transportation and Land Use Study for the NH Route 125 Corridor funded through the State Planning and Research (SPR) program.

Traffic Count 2008 Annual Summary

STRAFFORD-ROCKINGHAM REGION ITS Documents

These files represent the final documents of the Strafford-Rockingham Region ITS Architecture and ITS Strategic Plan update effort. The Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) and the Rockingham Planning Commission (RPC), working collaboratively with regional transportation stakeholders, completed development of the original regional ITS architecture and strategic plan in March 2008. The maintenance plan for the regional ITS architecture recommended that it be updated every 4 years. Consequently, a similar collaborative approach was taken to update these documents in the Spring of 2012.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are applications of advanced technology in the field of transportation, with the goals of increasing operational efficiency and capacity, improving safety, reducing environmental costs, and enhancing personal mobility. ITS projects can provide a variety of benefits, including: increased system capacity through more efficient use of existing infrastructure; improved system management, including incident management; better-informed travelers through the provision of real-time traveler and weather information; increased safety; and reduced environmental impacts. Intelligent Transportation Systems are a series of tools that can be applied, as needed, to address specific, identified regional transportation needs. ITS are designed to make better use of existing transportation infrastructure through improved system management and reliability at a fraction of the cost of conventional infrastructure expansion. Successful ITS deployment requires an approach to planning, implementation, and operations that emphasizes collaboration between relevant entities and compatibility of individual systems. Such an approach is designed to maximize user benefits and the cost efficiency of ITS investments.